We are considering the question:

Just who are the 99, verse 5?

The flock spoken of here could not be an 'earthly' body of people for a number of reasons. Here is another reason as well as that given last time which was that it could not be 'a band of human beings because of the their description. " . . . . ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance," verse 7.

The new reason is:

Because the Saviour has promised never to 'leave' His people.

The 99 were 'left behind'.

Here is a promise given to His people. " . . . he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5.

* Those who are left "in the wilderness" in this parable could not be those to whom this promise was given!

The word 'leave' means 'forsake', which makes it even more unlikely that it is the saved that is referred to.

We must ever remember that the Lord Jesus does not have to LEAVE you while He comes to me to help and look after me! He is OMNIPRESENT! He is everywhere present at all times! "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, . . . lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen," Matt 28:18, 20. Acts 18;10. He was with Paul & all the apostles. He was with EACH ONE of them. Even so He is ever with all of His people. Jesus' divine nature makes Him always with us. "Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD," Jer 23:23-24.

* This truth Nathaniel learned. "Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel," John 1:47-49.